ANN ABROR SOUP PROPOSALS - FEBRUARY 23 2014

A2Share Project SummaryA2Share is a young organization that connects would-be sharers with one another and the sharing programs, organizations, and events the area has to offer. It exists to support and grow the sharing and solidarity economy of Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, by providing information and resources on sustainable, equitable, and collaborative alternatives to mainstream consumerism. After hosting a successful inaugural Sharing Summit last summer, we have been diligently working to meet the growing demand for shared and sharing resources in the Ann Arbor area. One of the ways we have done so is through creation of an online directory and map of local resources. With this project, we hope to scale up our efforts and make them more accessible to the larger community.How will you use SOUP grant funding towards the realization of your project?There are a number of ways we would use SOUP funding to accomplish these goals. First, we would like to host another Sharing Summit, and lay the groundwork for it to be an annual event. These types of events of course require funding for space and equipment rental, food, and advertising, to name but a few expenses. At the same time, we desire to keep them no/lo-cost to participants in order to ensure they are accessible to all. In recent months, like-minded organizations like the Ann Arbor Free Skool and Ann Arbor ReSkilling Festival have struggled to maintain support for their respective festivals. By partnering with them and securing funding, we can ensure that these types of events have a regular and lasting presence in the Ann Arbor community.Second, we would like to set up an online skillshare directory and timebank, to provide a platform for individuals in the community to share their time and talents with one another. Such a platform is essential to ensuring the growth and longevity of the local sharing economy. The costs of setting these resources up include domain registration, web hosting, programming services, and perhaps licensing fees.Finally, we hope to attain 501(c)3 status to ensure the sustainability of our work. Funding is needed to help with the expenses associated with filing.Why does this project matter to the greater Ann Arbor community?This project matters to the greater Ann Arbor community as it makes great strides in building our sustainability, solidarity, and cohesiveness. Our research indicates there is a growing interest in sharing in Ann Arbor, but the resources to support it and bring it to scale are currently underdeveloped. This project builds capacity for those resources and improves the lives of not only those who participate actively in the sharing economy, but those who passively reap the co-benefits of reduced environmental impacts, more money staying in the local economy, and stronger connections between neighbors. With a flourishing sharing economy comes greater opportunities for building collaboration, community, and resilience.

Grange Junior Makers Project Summary I started the Grange Junior Makers because I had many options for my son to participate in sports (local soccer team), music (piano lessons) and education (Kumon) but could find none for tinkering. I wanted him to participate in a community of Makers. So I decided to make a 'club' of kids plus their parents so that they could build interesting and sometimes useful projects (not kits) for free that they can take them home and keep playing with them. The GJM have been meeting once per month for the last two years, building things like paper-plate speakers, vertical gardens, wearable electronics, throwies, wind turbines, giant xylophones and giant paper-airplane launchers. With a SOUP grant, I'd like to expand the number of families that participate from 15 to at least 50 by the end of 2014.How will you use SOUP grant funding towards the realization of your project?For the last two years, the GjM has been largely self-funded out of my cable TV 'cord cutting' savings. Being creative and modest in project selection, most projects are less than $5/kid to execute. We've been serving at most 15 families per month by word-of-mouth and referrals. I'd like to expand that to at least 50 families this year. Buying parts in bulk saves a lot more money, and I'd like to purchase more (magnets, battery holders, LED's, solder, electrical tape, wood, wire and mini-Arduinos) for this effort.. The Pittsfield Grange has graciously offered a place in their building to store materials, and I'd like to take advantage of that offer and fill a cabinet with enough parts for a growing number of participants to be used for projects through the rest of this year.Why does this project matter to the greater Ann Arbor community?The Maker Movement has been a growing phenomenon across the planet for at least five years, with implications both nationally (American workforce readiness and global competitiveness) and locally ( differentiated education options for early education, fun intro's to science and technology). Ann Arbor is emerging as the 'Silicon Valley' of the Midwest, and I'd love for the GJM to be a part of that effort to get families involved in building and creating together. More tinkerers in Ann Arbor means a greater likelihood that out of some local garage will come the next HP, Apple or perhaps even some new "heavier-than-air" vehicle.

Pilars Community Wellness RoomProject Summary A collaboration of women from Ann Arbor- from Yoga teachers, to Pastors, to Chefs, to Auryvedic counselors- have gathered to create a Community Wellness Room in the space of Pilars Tamales. Sylvia, the owner of the restaurant and the woman behind the delicious Tamale plates at the A2 farmers market on Saturday mornings, has offered a room in her restaurant to create a dwelling for wellness. At the moment, the room is used for yoga classes and Bible study, but we hope to expand the room to be a place of welcome for anyone who needs it. Whether for spiritual growth, physical health, rest, community, or creative expression, we want to expand the possibilities of what a wellness center could mean for our community.How will you use SOUP funding towards the realization of your project? In order to make the room livable and loveable, we need to furnish the space with some accouterments. Some of our projects include flooring, small appliances like heaters and fans, small furniture like coat racks and boot trays, equipment for supporting the yoga practice like blocks and bolsters. We also need to advertise and spread the word about our work, and of course decorate the space with beautiful artwork! (we have a muralist and all she needs is paints). All of these costs add up and exceed the budget of a few young women. We have already budgeted and planned for our expenses, and will do fundraising throughout the next few months to continue adding to the project. Presenting our idea at the SOUP event is not only an opportunity to gather support from the community but also to invite that whole community to join us for classes, workshops, relaxing together, and of course, eating Tamales.Why does this project matter to the greater Ann Arbor community? These days, wellness comes at a high expense and is only accessible to a certain community of people. With a sliding scale pricing option, we will be able to offer yoga classes to many people who would benefit from the practice but cannot afford to participate at a downtown studio. It's location also creates access for many demographics in Ann Arbor, from students to townies and more. Beyond the scope of yoga, this wellness room combines the healing power of food with a creative community place to gather. It is rare to find a restaurant that also offers space for yoga, book clubs, art projects, summers camps, and more. In the truest sense, this Community Wellness Room provides an amorphous space for the people of A2 to meet and make it their own. The more comfortable and well established it is, the more that every person can participate in it. And what better way to get off the ground than garnering the support of a community of people who love good food, good music, and good SOUP?

Wednesday Evening Market Project SummaryThe Wednesday Evening Market is a food-focused, all-local Farmers Market located in the heart of historic Kerrytown. The market is in its fourth year and is dedicated to helping small businesses succeed and grow. The Evening Market also gives the Farmers Market a unique opportunity to run programming and hold events that foster a sense of community and encourage visitors to learn about the local food system. During the 2013 market season, the market was proud to host several theme nights and events. We hope to be able to expand our programming for 2014 in ways that teach our customers about local food, support our vendors’ businesses and provide unique forms of entertainment for children, families, students and community members. Support from Ann Arbor SOUP would enable the Evening Market to implement a Community Programming Package that will include three new event ‘series’ taking place at the market in 2014. Market staff will draw upon the skills and resources of our surrounding community and work with local businesses and groups to help us execute all of our series. We aim to create a large group of market supporters and enthusiasts who can help the market to grow as a unique and welcoming community gathering space. Additionally, we are hoping that these series will support our vendors’ efforts to grow successful, community-supported businesses. The Wednesday Evening Market Community Programming Package will include the following three series of events: Kids Night Series: Specific programming for children has been scheduled for the second Wednesday of every month during the Evening Market season (June through October). Programming will be focused on encouraging kids to interact with farming, gardening and vegetables through activities that are fun and educational. Market staff will connect with local businesses and groups to plan interactive story times, farm photo booths, vegetable discovery stations and seed planting/composting activities. Preservation Series: The preservation series will teach local food enthusiasts to extend the life of produce at its peak. Experts in canning, freezing, drying and fermenting will share their tips and tricks for success. The series will encourage customers to learn how they can enjoy the bounty of the harvest season year-round and enjoy local produce long after it is out of season. Vendor Seminar Series: Many of the vendors at the Evening Market are small, new businesses who are just getting their start in the food world. As these businesses work to grow, we want to provide support in the form of local experts who can provide expertise and training opportunities. The Vendor Series will host several speakers throughout the market season who will discuss marketing plans, pricing strategies, effective displays and growth opportunities. The series will be open to all of our vendors and other interested small food businesses.

How will you use SOUP funding towards the realization of your project? We will use the grant funding to enhance our programming efforts and support the local groups that help us execute our series. We will use the funds to secure supplies for activities, advertise our events and partners, and sponsor our educational efforts while keeping all activities free and open to the public. SOUP grant funding will greatly increase our ability to engage with our community while continuing to support our local farmers and food businesses. For specifics on planned purchases for each series, please see below. Kids Night Series -Supplies: seeds pots, dirt, craft supplies -Flyers & Posters -Produce purchased from Farmers Market vendors Preservation Series -Local fruits and vegetables purchased from our producers -Canning, freezing and fermenting supplies such as ball jars, cutting boards, pots and spices -Printing of instructions and recipe booklets -Small travel stipends for presenters as necessary Vendor Education Series -Purchase local snacks to encourage attendance -Printing handouts and presentation slides -Advertise Series to local businesses -Small travel stipends for presenters as necessaryWhy does this project matter to the greater Ann Arbor community? The Evening Market setting is an important and unique venue for the Farmers Market to expand our engagement with the Ann Arbor Community. We hope to use the Community Programming Package to provide the full diversity of our market community – vendors, children, college students, parents, local residents – with free entertainment and educational opportunities right in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor. The residents of Ann Arbor have a long history of supporting local food businesses and we hope to be able to continue to foster that commitment and interest. These efforts will support and market local businesses, encourage the community to interact with our farmers and encourage small businesses to succeed and grow.

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